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Coal and climate: Leaders out of step with public

June 3, 2014 by Ken Ward Jr.

Gazette photo by Chip Ellis

It’s not surprising to see the drumbeat from most West Virginia media outlets (see here,here and here) in opposition to the Obama administration’s fairly modest effort to fight climate change. After all, the media apparently thinks its job is simply to repeat what our elected officials tell us, regardless of whether it makes any sense or has any basis in fact.

Americans living in coal-heavy states are supportive of limiting greenhouse gas emissions in the poll, even as their states will be forced to make bigger adjustments to meet the EPA’s new emissions targets. Among those in states where a majority of electricity is produced by burning coal, 69 percent say the government should place limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Support is a similar 71 percent in states where less than half of electricity comes from coal.

Previous polls have shown the same sorts of results (see here and here). Generally, people in the coalfields don’t really care for mountains getting blown up. They don’t at all like the idea of coal miners getting blown up. And they aren’t too keen on carbon pollution creating super-storms and an otherwise unlivable climate.

I understand the fears that these rules will eliminate jobs, hurt our communities, and drive up costs for working families … However, rather than let fear alone drive our response, we should make this an opportunity to build a stronger future for ourselves. … The threat that climate change and unhealthy air pose to all of our futures cannot be understated. And, the costs of inaction are far greater than the costs of action.

1000 people represented the entire population of the US and 280 represented 19 states…do I really need to point out how skewed this survey appears to be…and really, who takes the time to respond to polls. I know I have never responded to a phone poll.

I know my thoughts above are not “Peer Reviewed” so they aren’t “real” but think about it…280 people to represent 19 states worth of people…

The quotes are from the actual poll you cited, I don’t have the time or inclination to post a link, you can find that yourself.

I love alternative energy but through all the rhetoric and bluster I’ve yet to see a business advertise in WV for affordable solar or wind power for the home or a business servicing windmills or solar farms. So if renewable energy is the way of the future and there are jobs for all West Virginians where are the companies that are going to provide this energy and jobs? I want one!!!

On a side note; how about an investigative article on how the wind and solar farms fared in the derecho and super storm sandy! And how much energy they produced before and immediately after the storms, reliability and durability are two big questions I have about these energy sources.

An editorial cartoon in the June 4 Herald-Dispatch tells the story the Gazette, Obama and you fail to tell us regarding climate change and thereby are doing a disservice to Americans.
One part shows a man laying in bed saying “Our electric bill is ..gasp…$1000 this month and his wife bringing him a glass of water saying “don’t worry, dear, the government will subsidize us!”
An obvious exaggeration in the amount but it will increase and thereby put more middle class below the poverty line
Another part shows a man standing under a cloud of dirty air saying to another guy wearing a respirator: “we’ve spent billions on clean air and still have dirty air!?? The other guy says: “It’s from China.”
The only exaggeration here is the dirty cloud and the respirator.

I find it interesting that most folks, science educated or not, do not have a problem with the overwhelming evidence for various scientific theories (if they understand what “theory” is, is another topic) such as gravity, the heliocentric solar system, tectonic plate movement, germ theory, etc. But overwhelming evidence (97% of scientists concur) for human-induced climate change? “Oh that’s a conspiracy!” or “equal time must be given for deniers!” is often heard by those same people who deny the overwhelming evidence for biological evolution or rely on Faux news as their primary source of information. Polling results do not accurately reflect the reality of scientific findings but only how the public perceives the results and the results can be skewed by the media and politicians who have agendas that supply the confirmation bias of their denial. Most folks don’t have the means or time to go back and take a remedial class (or several) on science and the latest findings and have to rely on other sources of information that unfortunately filter much of the information into a sound bite or rant towards their political opponent. Lastly, one must realize that it is hard to get a person to support an idea contrary to the one that supplies their paycheck.

It’s easy to kick COAL when it’s down. Yep, the demand is falling and prices are rising, the big fields are played out. Coal is on the way out as an energy source. The alternative, Natural Gas is cheaper, cleaner and more abundant.
Heck, even China is going to switch to Russian gas and oil rather than US coal. Look at the coal producers stock prices if you need more proof.

Seeing that the market place has made its decision; it’s easy for the politicos to appear like they are doing the right thing for the planet. When all along the big coal users are switching to Natural Gas anyway for all of the obvious reasons. It won’t matter what the EPA or Obama declares because only those with their heads in the sand will still be using or mining coal as an energy resource.